Action-packed film in the mould of Godzilla and Transformers

Rating: 7/10 (15 August 2013)

This film is a great one to watch of you want to sit back and enjoy great special effects, fantasy fight scenes and not-to-taxing but relatively enjoyable storyline. Essentially, it is good escapism and if you suspend your disbelief, its an enjoyable trip to the cinema, especially in Imax/3D.
The plot is like a cross between Godzilla and Transformers, with huge aliens/monsters emerging from the sea with increasing regularity to be combated by huge man-made and piloted robots in the general shape of humans, with an array of weapons and attributes. Unlike Godzilla though, no sympathy is expressed towards the Kayju (monsters) as they are portrayed as purely evil: although it is not the intention of the film to make the reader feel much other than awe and excitement at the action scenes.
The acting is surprisingly good. Many cliché characters are there: The battle hardened captain, the female love interest, the hero returning with scarred memories, the 'rival' good-guy, and the computer/nerdy types trying to think a way to victory. The use of stereotypes allows the viewer not to worry too much about character formation as much of the character formation is already done through preconceived ideas, and this allows the film to concentrate on what it does best: Provide action. The characters aren't too shallow or empty though either for the most part: there is some complexity to their relationships at times and this is due to the decent acting quality. Granted there won't be any Oscar-nominations for the performances, but there won't be any Razzie nominated ones either.
The film, like many of its kind, is predictable but the journey along the way is filled with enough action to make it enjoyable. Many parts are fantasy but the film knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything it is not. It plays to it and achieves its goals. It's not one that will stay with the audience for long after they leave the cinema doors, but it is a solid, action- packed, fantasy/end-of-the-world flick which does exactly what it says on the tin.